LESSONS TO LEARN FOLLOWING THE LATEST TERROR ATTACK IN LAHORE

“We are deeply saddened by the senseless killing of innocent people in Lahore and the targeting of the Christian minority who were celebrating Easter. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones and those who have been injured and maimed in this tragedy. This was a brutal act of violence targeting a children’s play area.”

“Those who have planned and executed this terror attack must be found and punished. We stand shoulder to shoulder with those seeking to find the culprits of this act of terror. It is increasingly becoming clear from recent major terrorist incidents in France, Belgium and now Pakistan that intelligence agencies are not co-operating and sharing information with each other to prevent such attacks. Governments cannot let this continue as prevention of such attacks must be the collective goal.”

“Lahore has a huge historic significance to the Sikhs worldwide with it having been the capital of the Sikh empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh. It also has a large Sikh minority community and many historic Sikh Gurdwaras, including the martyrdom place of Guru Arjan Dev Ji, the 5th Guru of the Sikhs and the first of many martyrs who died in defence of religious freedoms. Lahore is also very close to Nanakana Sahib the birth place of the founder of the Sikh Faith, Guru Nanak Dev Ji.”

“We are troubled with the growing trend of religious intolerance across the globe. However, it does act as a reminder to world powers of the rich history of the Sikh Nation in challenging all forms of oppression and tyranny and the missed opportunity in not having a powerful independent Sikh homeland that would be a force for the good and wellbeing of all.”